Senior / Principal Ecologist

Arup; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Profit share

Flexible benefits for wellbeing

Career development opportunities

Profit Share

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking a Senior / Principal Ecologist based in Edinburgh. This role involves preparing ecological reports, conducting field surveys, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and have experience in ecological consulting. The consultancy offers a diverse workload across various projects, including renewable energy and transport, and emphasizes a commitment to a supportive work environment. They also appreciate working towards professional certification, such as CIEEM membership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Zoology, Geography, or Biology.
• Postgraduate qualification in ecological consultancy is advantageous.
• Full driving licence is essential.
• Experience in consulting with a range of ecological experience.
• Experience with BNG and nature-related policies is beneficial.
• Specialism in ornithology, HRA, or aquatic ecology is a plus.
• Specialism in ornithology, HRA, BNG or similar is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Prepare reports like Ecological Impact Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Advise on habitat restoration and green infrastructure.
• Conduct field surveys including protected species assessments.
• Mentor junior ecologists.
• Collaborate with clients to support biodiversity strategies and climate resilience.

Skills

Ecological consulting experience

Field survey work

Mentoring junior staff

Client-facing experience

Understanding of biodiversity strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant subject

Postgraduate qualification (MSc in Ecological Consultancy)

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior / Principal Ecologist role at Arup.

We are currently looking to recruit Senior / Principal Ecologists on a permanent contract into a range of offices including York, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You will work as part of a team of 45 experienced ecologists within Arup’s North geography (northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland offices). Projects can vary greatly in nature and duration, which helps to provide a hugely diverse and exciting workload, and will include renewable energy, water industry, transport and data centre projects.

About this career opportunity... Prepare clear and concise reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), species survey reports, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of clear and concise reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), species survey reports, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
• Experience of BNG and other metrics (e.g. Building with Nature), natural capital / environmental net gain studies, site and corporate biodiversity strategies, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standard 6, and nature-related policies.
• Advising on restoration/enhancement of habitats, biodiversity design and integration of green infrastructure design and other nature-based solutions to secure biodiversity gain and strengthen climate change resilience measures.
• Field survey work, such as Phase 1 Habitat/UKHab surveys (including condition scoring for BNG assessments and invasive species) and protected species surveys (e.g. bats, otter and badger).
• Mentoring junior staff to help them develop their own careers.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as Ecology, Zoology, Geography or Biology (or equivalent).
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, such as an MSc in Ecological Consultancy, is advantageous but not essential. Membership of CIEEM or equivalent professional body and seeking to work towards Chartership.
• A full driving licence is essential.
• Experience of having worked in the consulting industry previously, ideally with a broad range of ecological experience. Client-facing experience.
• Experience of having used ArcGIS software and using digital tools to deliver efficiency and innovation.
• Experience of BNG and other metrics such as Building with Nature, natural capital, environmental net gain studies, site and corporate biodiversity strategies, TNFD, IFC PS6, and nature-related policies would be beneficial.
• Specialism in a specific topic such as ornithology, HRA, BNG, aquatic ecology etc.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Consulting, Engineering, and Strategy/Planning
• Industries: Business Consulting and Services, Design Services, and Environmental Services

Benefits

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Karin Spies [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role.

Equal Opportunity

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

Contact

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Karin Spies at [e-mail]. Please note, to keep GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit: https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

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Referral program: Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Arup by 2x.